Wallace's days with Steelers could be over

By Gerry Dulac / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

In what might turn out to be a classic case of foreshadowing, the end of Mike Wallace's fourth season in the NFL could look strangely similar to his fifth -- with him not playing for the Steelers.

Wallace has been ruled out of Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns because of a hip/hamstring injury in the loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

That means the pass that was intended for him that was intercepted by Bengals safety Reggie Nelson with 14 seconds remaining might have been his last significant play for the Steelers.

This also will be the first game Wallace has missed in his four years with the Steelers.

"I didn't want to go out like that," Wallace said. "I really wanted to end on a high note. It's unfortunate."

Wallace played this season on a one-year contract worth $2.7 million after failing to agree on a contract extension with the Steelers in the offseason. He held out after the Steelers made the $2.7 million tender and missed all the offseason workouts and training camp.

He will be an unrestricted free agent after the season, meaning he is free to sign with another team

"I don't know, we'll see," Wallace said about the possibility of returning to the Steelers.

"I got big plans, no matter what the situation. I definitely got big plans for myself and my family. We'll see how it goes. Hopefully everything will go in a positive manner."

The Steelers were never confident they could sign Wallace to a contract extension because they believed he wanted too much money. And, after signing Antonio Brown to a six-year, $42.5 million contract when Wallace did not report to training camp, it is unlikely that will change now.

It also is unlikely the Steelers will use a franchise tag on Wallace because that means they would have to pay him between $10 million and $11 million next season.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/steelers/wallaces-days-with-steelers-could-be-over-668227/#ixzz2GQ3kfgqC

Antonio Brown, after missing nearly 1/4 of the season, finished just behind Wallace in yards. The main statistic Wallace led Brown in was touchdowns, and you must factor is Brown's missed time coupled with the fact that Wallace is the first read in all red-zone situations, usually followed by Heath Miller or David Paulson. My point: Wallace turned down an offer similar to the one Brown ultimately received and accepted, and barely outperformed him at the seasons end.

In fact, Brown, with a big game, will finish the season with more yards the Wallace. Mike needed to prove himself worthy of the big bucks this season, and considering the #2 guy can finish ahead of him Sunday after missing a quarter of a season, he'll probably be looking at LESS money than the offers he received going into this season. I don't expect Wallace back next year. He's sitting out this week to prevent any kind of aggravation. Another business decision.

There's really nothing I can say about Wallace that I haven't already said. And it doesn't matter at this point. The chances of him playing for the Steelers next season are slim and none. Even if the Steelers want to keep him, there's a team out there that will offer him more than the Steelers will be able and willing to pay. There's only 2 ways he stays:

1. No other team feels that he is worth the money it will take to sign him.
2. Playing for the Steelers means more to him than the money.

I don't see either of those scenarios happening, so it's hard to envision him returning next season.

I think this is bad and a shame.

I still think this guy is a top receiver. I know I was hard on him in the beginning of the season, but I still think we need him.

I fear he ends up with the Pats*, and the Brady/Wallace combo will be unstoppable.

Didn't think I'd say this, but we need to draft a WR this season. Sanders, Cotch, and Brown -- that's the depth. And let's face it, these are the Steelers. Someone is inevitably going to be injured.

I am still hoping against hope that Wallace will return. I truly believe that in a few years, Wallace and Brown could have potentially been a Stallworth/Swann (ok, maybe not that good -- but close)

Too bad.

Let me line the cloud with the silver lining....

1. Wallace did not play near his potential what so ever. Therefore, I don't think many teams are going to be vying for his attention this off season.

2. The Steelers know what he is capable of producing on the field, and in years past they have signed veterans at the end of their contracts regardless of the last year's performance.

3. I believe we will see Wallace sign a 3-5 year deal for probably the same amount as Brown, maybe slightly more, and he'll be in a Steelers uniform making us all forget about this season.

I would love nothing more than to have Wallace back in a Steelers uniform, but if it's at the expense of a guy like Keenan Lewis, I wouldn't be happy with it.

I think we have seen the last of Wallace, Bendandfall, Starks, Batch, Leftwich, Hampton, Foote, and possibly Harrison...

bayz101 wrote:

I would love nothing more than to have Wallace back in a Steelers uniform, but if it's at the expense of a guy like Keenan Lewis, I wouldn't be happy with it.

This might surprise you, Bagz, but I actually agree with you on this. Keeping Wallace would be a luxury ... but he's not a priority. Keeping Lewis IS a priority. It's difficult for young players to immediately step into LeBeau's defense. We can't keep having turnover at cornerback. We need some stability. Ike is on the downside of his career. And with Troy and Clark aging, it won't be long before we have two young safeties back there. It would be nice to have Lewis and Allen anchoring the corners for the foreseeable future.

Wallace108 wrote:

bayz101 wrote:

I would love nothing more than to have Wallace back in a Steelers uniform, but if it's at the expense of a guy like Keenan Lewis, I wouldn't be happy with it.

This might surprise you, Bagz, but I actually agree with you on this. Keeping Wallace would be a luxury ... but he's not a priority. Keeping Lewis IS a priority. It's difficult for young players to immediately step into LeBeau's defense. We can't keep having turnover at cornerback. We need some stability. Ike is on the downside of his career. And with Troy and Clark aging, it won't be long before we have two young safeties back there. It would be nice to have Lewis and Allen anchoring the corners for the foreseeable future.

Doesn't surprise me at all, actually. You're no homer. Check your signature.

You've been unhappy with Wallace just like the rest of us.

Where would we be at now if we would have signed Wallace to a five year contract. Our salary cap would have been out of this world for next year.

Galax Steeler wrote:

Where would we be at now if we would have signed Wallace to a five year contract. Our salary cap would have been out of this world for next year.

Not necessarily. It depends on how it was structured. They're not going to mortgage the future on one player, especially a receiver.